ACT UP Dublin and GCN to host panel on HIV activism during GAZE Film Festival

Entitled ACT UP Ireland: United And Angrier Than Ever, the panel will discuss the past, present and future of HIV/AIDS activism.

ACT UP hold signs with US government officials images during a HIV/AIDS protest in the 1980s

The GAZE LGBT Film Festival is on the way, ready to entertain fans of queer cinema with an incredible lineup of movies from around the globe alongside Q&As by the filmmakers and specially curated talks. The festival, which takes place in the Light House Cinema in Smithfield, will also play host to an essential panel discussion.
In partnership with ACT UP Dublin and GCN, ‘ACT UP Ireland: United And Angrier Than Ever’ will see a panel of activists discuss where we are and what needs to be done in terms of HIV/AIDS activism.

On Monday, August 5 in the Lighthouse Cinema, ACT UP Dublin’s Will St Leger, this year’s Grand Marshall at Dublin Pride, will be joined by activist and Managing Editor of GCN, Lisa Connell, activist Brian Mullin, IWantPrEPNow founder Greg Owen and original ACT UP member, Monica Pearl.

As the event states, “In an era of negative headlines, first the good news: We’re living in an age where U=U, where people living with HIV and on regular treatment cannot pass on the virus to their partner, and across the continent of Europe, HIV is on the decline. What’s more, with greater access and availability of PrEP, HIV is truly a preventable disease.

But Ireland is bucking this trend, with new diagnoses spiking in recent years. If HIV is no longer considered a killer, has complacency become one instead? A new branch of ACT UP Ireland is addressing this head-on through education, advocacy, speaking truth to power — and just plainly speaking the truth.”

The panel will be preceded by a selection of short films on HIV/AIDS activism including:

LOVE & SUPPRESSION
Samuel Foxton, 2017

SNOW JOB: THE MEDIA HYSTERIA OF AIDS
Barbara Hammer, 1986

DIVA TV: LIKE A PRAYER
Catherine Gund, 1991

BECOMING CHERRIE
Nicky Larkin, 2019

Tickets for the event are available here.

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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